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"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"—Proverbs 6:27

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I guess this is when it all ends.

But a part of me keeps gnawing with the feeling I have waited too long. The empty space in my heart seems to have grown even more.

Something is missing—but, I cannot remember what it is. And I know deep within that I have to find that missing piece again.

After tonight, I get to see this all end. I guess my dream will finally happen, though a part of me wishes to remain friends with Francesco after this.

But a stronger part within tells me it's time to finally let go. I sigh taking in a deep breath, and look at the deep blue gown on the bed.

It's just perfect, with its Swarovski pearls. It doesn't expose anything inappropriate but it's beautiful nonetheless.

He knows my taste and preferences, I say to myself, pleased, yet knowing this was finally the time to let go.

I look down at the note that came with it again,

"Please wear this for the event. I'll pick you up at 5 PM."

Signed, "F. R. R."

Well, I guess it's showtime.

~

I feel my palms getting sweaty and the uneasiness escalating in my tummy as I stare at the crowd in the room.

The event is obviously for the youngsters in royal circles—the intention is to get them to socialise with their kind. From the Velvet-themed decoration to the food, everything is exquisite.

But why am I feeling uneasy?

I have always hated being the centre of attention. And that is what is going on right now. But, besides that is a feeling that something big is about to happen.

"You look beautiful. Ignore their stares." Francesco whispers in my ears and gives me a slight smile, squeezing my hand which is in his.

I only force a smile and nod. I have had cases in the WACO before where I had to attend similar events.

I can pull this off.

As we walk further towards the centre of the large hall, I only look ahead.

I spot Javier amongst those gathered there and feel a little relieved to see a familiar face there.

"Javi," Francesco says.

"Frances," Javier responds. He only nods at me. I guess I'm immune to his coldness by now.

I was expecting to see Rosa with him, but I did not see her around.

They go on to chat in Italian and I pretend not to understand and rather glance around me.

"Dov'è Rosa?" (Where is Rosa?) I finally hear Francesco ask.

"I broke it off with her."

I almost gasp but continue to pretend I can understand nothing.

If Javier is hurting, no one can tell as his voice sounds neither sad nor remorseful.

"Why?" Francesco asks, just as a gentleman and a pretty girl approach us. She is wearing a scarlet dress decorated with jewels and her head is turned as she whispers something in the gentleman's ears.

When she lifts her eyes, I see it is her. Rosa Vega.

I see Francesco tense at the sight of her. One can't deny, she looks stunning. Somehow, I feel the uneasiness spread even further than before.

"Javi, Francesco," she purrs out his name. She barely spares me a glance. "I believe you remember my cousin, Mauritius."

They greet each other, and at least, Mauritius is courteous enough to say a brief, "Hello," to me.

After a slight conversion, some other friends come and whisk Francesco away.

"I'll be back," he tells me before leaving. As I watch him leave me there alone with the three, I hear a familiar high-pitched voice behind me.

"Hey, Rosa!"

I turn to see Audrey sashaying up to Rosa. She throws me a disgusted look and whispers something into Rosa's ears, and I feel the uneasiness turn into a dark foreboding in my chest.

They both giggle and walk away. Mauritius, ever the gentleman, bids me farewell before departing to join other friends.

I feel a little awkward standing there alone with Javier.

The music begins, and the lights dim as lots of couples move onto the dance floor.

I decide it's time to look for a place to sit and just... observe.

As I approach the back table, I see some people gathered around it. I notice Audrey and her date among them. But my view is blocked from seeing the main activity. It seems a game is ongoing.

I hear them begin to chant, "Kiss her!"

Some moments pass when I hear them all cheering and they part a bit giving me a view of what is going on.

I freeze on the spot. I knew this was going to happen one way or the other since I got here. But I never thought it would be... this way.

I feel the tightness heighten in my chest as I watch them together. Francesco and Rosa.

I see people turn to stare at me, Audrey being one of them. A smirk is on her face. I need to get out of here.

I know it is my own fault. I should never have allowed this to go on. I should have listened to the Voice of caution I felt within me.

GOD, please forgive me.

I begin to feel suffocated and glance at the distant clock on the wall in desperation and feel relieved knowing it will soon be time... 3...2...1...

My phone rings, and I use that as an excuse to leave the place for a while.

In case you are wondering, it's not a fake call. But a planned one.

I thought some awkward situation might occur and asked a friend to call me around that time.

Though, I have used the fake call tactic before.

"Hey, did I call on time?" A deep male voice comes through as I walk into the large garden at the back of the building. It is quiet and dark.

"Yes, you did. Thanks a lot, by the way." I say after swallowing hard and I begin walking deeper into the shadows.

"It's okay. It's the little I can do."

"Is everything okay with your arm?" I ask, hoping for anything to divert my attention.

"It is. Thanks for asking." He sounds tired.

"I guess I'll leave you to rest now. I'll talk to you later."

"Xiao Jaye?" (Little Jaye.)

"Don't call me that..."

"Whatever," I can picture his signature eye roll. "Get this mess under control as soon as possible, okay?"

"Okay. I hear you. I guess you can say it's finally over now." My voice breaks a bit at the end.

There is a bit of silence on the other end.

"Are you sure you are okay? Need me to pick you up?"

"No, it's okay, I'm going to be fine." I hope. "I'll head home soon."

"Be safe."

And the call ended. I sigh and place the phone back into my purse.

"LORD, I should have listened to YOU—and acted earlier." My shoulders slump.

The whole universe seemed to know that I had been played a fool once again.

But, that was the least of my worries even as I finally realised what had felt missing in my life over the past days—the Presence of my SAVIOUR.

My jumbled feelings had made me lose sight of what was most important to me, the One who has kept me going amidst the various trials I have faced over the past months.

Truly, I have to admit the fact that I have stumbled and made wrong decisions severally in my lifetime. Yet, HE had always been the only One to comfort me in my times of despair which led to repentance.

How could I forget... YOU, my FATHER? Please, LORD, can you kindly forgive me?

And that was when I heard HIM speak to my heart for the first time in what seemed to be years.

HE whispered passages of Scripture that had been long forgotten to me.

How I have missed HIM! And I had not even realised it until I had almost lost everything—again.

"For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him."

"As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

"Like as a father pitieth his children, So the LORD pitieth them that fear him."

It was from Psalm 103:11-13! A Psalm I had memorised long ago.

Another was whispered to my spirit,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

As the torrent of the Words of my SAVIOUR hit me anew and I ask for His forgiveness, I feel a spring rising bubbling within and refreshing in my soul.

Indeed, HE leadeth me beside the still waters, my heart cries out.

And a peace incomprehensible—despite knowing the fact that I am going to be the butt of everyone's gossip for some time—enveloped me. I have been restored to Him!

As I decide to finally return, I hear movement among the tall bushes.

Being the inquisitive person I am, and following His Voice this time around, I tiptoe toward the sound to check.

I see a form standing in the darkness—in the moonlight, I make out the broad shoulder... Javier.

He is leaning against a bush, and I see him struggle to take deep breaths. Something about seeing him this way causes my heart to ache. I draw closer.

His face is contorted in pain. He tries moving and sways. He is dizzy. That is when I decided to choose to ignore my own pain.

Here is someone who needs my help.

~

(Some time afore)

"So it is all a lie."

That voice was familiar. Too familiar. Aquilina whirled around.

"Lu Xia!" She exclaimed in joy. It had been so long since she had seen her best friend.

But what is he doing here? He isn't on our block. He is already in the Uni. She thought to herself.

"Why am I here?" He seemed to read her mind and lifted his bandaged arm which she had failed to notice in her excitement.

"Oh, Lu Xia, what happened?"

"I got injured and didn't want KD to find out. Rose is an acquaintance of my mom. So, here I am." KD was how he often referred to his stepfather, King Domingo II.

"What about you, Xiao Jaye? (Little Jaye) What was that all about?"

And she told him everything. For she had never been able to keep secrets from this Prince who was called, The Silent Prince by many.

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Hola! GOD bless you all for sticking around.

What did you think of this chapter? It was my least favourite.

And... this Chapter is dedicated to Liszka_rose

Banner way above by panda_love2004

Thanks so much, girl. 💙